Will wardens get royal backing?
Supporters of the two Mendip wardens threatened with redundancy and early retirement are asking for the support of royalty and politicians.
The support organisation, Save our Warden Service, has contacted Prince Charles, a long time supporter of Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty, as well as all local councillors and MPs to gather more backing for their campaign to keep the paid wardens in their jobs.
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Several volunteer wardens have threatened to resign if the AONB partnership goes ahead with its plans to make wardens Les Davies and Tina Bath redundant.
A private meeting of the AONB partnership will be held today (Thursday) as a storm of protest continues to build users of the hills.
Representatives of the partnership which looks after the AONB – Natural England, Somerset County Council, Sedgemoor, Mendip, Bath and North East Somerset and North Somerset councils – will meet AONB managers and members of the resources steering group to discuss a cost-cutting review which would mean the two posts held by Les Davies and Tina Bath vanish and would leave no paid front-line staff to look after the hills.
The reasons for the decision will be explained to the elected members of the committee at the meeting.
The partnership will then issue a statement on Thursday following the meeting.
Somerset County Council, the warden's employer, and the AONB say that as the process of reviewing the service is continuing and has not been put to the elected members they cannot comment any further.
More than half the AONB's annual funding comes from Natural England, with the rest coming from the five local councils.
Details of the AONB budget for this year, which have been passed to this newspaper, show that of the £248,000 a year it costs to run the AONB more than £170,000 is spent on wages.
Around £15,000 is spent on running the AONB offices of which the service spends £2,500 a year on stationery, but just £1,000 on tools and equipment.
Administrating the partnership costs £23,100 and in 2008 £4,000 was spent on the management review that will see the two wardens lose their jobs.
Mid Somerset News and Media is supporting the campaign to keep wardens on the Mendips. You can register your support by visiting our website and adding your comments at www.thisissomerset.co.uk.
4 Comments
by Martin, Charterhouse
Wednesday, January 07 2009, 11:15PM
“I am writing on behalf the 133 members of the Chaterhouse-based Mendip Caving Group.
We have received enormous help, advice and support from Les and Tina (and also from their predecessors) over the years. The support of the wardens and the AONB service has helped to maintain access to the caves and mines below Blackmoor Valley and has been instrumental in developing a conservation policy to ensure that these unique features are conserved so that they may be enjoyed by future generations of cavers. Without their support, our ability to discover and explore caves like Upper Flood Swallet would not have been possible.
We respectfully ask that SCC reconsiders the plans to cut the funding for the AONB and the Mendip Warden Service.”
by Christopher Binding FRGS, Somerset
Wednesday, January 07 2009, 8:25AM
“You can add your name to the online petition, here:
http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/sows-on-Mendip/”
by Suzanne Green, Church Street, Cheddar
Tuesday, January 06 2009, 10:48PM
“This cost-saving exercise lacks foresight and thought for the future. In this current recession more people will be looking to holiday in their own countryside, and the Mendips will most likely see an increase of visitors. Surely front line staff such as the Wardens will be required even more to manage and monitor the Mendips for the enjoyment of all.
It appears the reviewing process on the fate of these posts is incomplete. Please, all representatives from those organisations involved consult more and think long-term rather than for short-term economies.”
by Mike Stitson, Winscombe
Tuesday, January 06 2009, 8:56PM
“Just wanted to add my name to the petition to try and save the Mendip Wardens who perform a vital role in the stewardship of the AONB. I can't see how the area will not suffer. The work the wardens carry out and the potential loss should not be underestimated.”